Introduction to the Hydropower Criteria

The Hydropower Criteria establish eligibility for Climate Bonds Certification by screening projects for GHG emissions intensity, power density, and adherence to environmental and social standards via an ESG Gap Analysis Tool.

• To be eligible for certification, hydropower projects must meet mitigation thresholds based on their operational date: facilities operational before 2020 must have a GHG footprint under 100g CO2e/ kWh or a power density exceeding 5W/m2, while those operational from 2020 onwards must meet thresholds of 50g CO2e/ kWh and 10W/m2.
• Adaptation and resilience eligibility is determined by an accredited assessor using the ESG Gap Analysis Tool. A project is ineligible if the assessment identifies more than 10 significant gaps in total, more than 2 significant gaps in any single section, or any failure to meet requirements regarding Free, Prior and Informed consent.
• When significant gaps are identified but remain within the eligibility limits, an Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP) must be implemented. This plan requires that over 50% of gaps be closed within 12 months and all remaining gaps be closed within 24 months, followed by a re-assessment to confirm closure.
• The Criteria apply to all land-based hydropower facilities regardless of size or location, specifically covering run-of-river, impoundment, and pumped storage facilities, as well as related infrastructure like transmission lines; however, tidal and marine applications are excluded and covered under separate Marine Renewables Sector Criteria.

APA

Climate Bonds Initiative (2021). Introduction to the Hydropower Criteria. https://www.climatebonds.net/files/drupal-files/files/standards/Hydropower/Hydropower%20brochure%20Mar%202021.pdf

Chicago

Climate Bonds Initiative. Introduction to the Hydropower Criteria. 2021. https://www.climatebonds.net/files/drupal-files/files/standards/Hydropower/Hydropower%20brochure%20Mar%202021.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Bonds Initiative |title=Introduction to the Hydropower Criteria |date=March 2021 |url=https://www.climatebonds.net/files/drupal-files/files/standards/Hydropower/Hydropower%20brochure%20Mar%202021.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatebondsinitiative2021introduction, author = {{Climate Bonds Initiative}}, title = {{Introduction to the Hydropower Criteria}}, institution = {Climate Bonds Initiative}, year = {2021}, month = mar, url = {https://www.climatebonds.net/files/drupal-files/files/standards/Hydropower/Hydropower%20brochure%20Mar%202021.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }